Alfred Patrick Parker

Lt, Commander. RNR
Dr Alfred Patrick
27/05/1940
01/09/2024
Sadly ‘Sailed Away’ on his final journey, peacefully at the
Royal Sussex County Hospital on the 1st September 2024
with his wife Jill at his side.
Father to John and Katie, brother to Joan,
‘Papa Portly’ to Rhys, Shannon, Darcy and Tommy.
Patrick commenced his medical career by training as a
Registered Mental Nurse and State Registered Nurse.
In 1967 he enlisted with the Royal Navy and served on
Aurora as a Leading Medical Technician.
His Commanding Officers and ‘shipmates’ remember him to
this day as “ ‘The Doc’ who was an inspiration and a
wonderful example to so many people. Through his caring nature
and professional competence he enhanced the quality of
Lives of so many people with whom he came into contact”.
The Captain recommended that Patrick should leave the
Navy to take up medicine.
As a result, he commissioned one of the first Theatre Sterile
Supply Units in the country at the Royal Sussex County Hospital,
which is where he met Jill. They were married in 1970
prior to Patrick starting a 2-year College Course to obtain
3 A Levels, with no O Levels!
Patrick obtained a placement at
The Royal London Hospital to take up medicine, thanks to
Prof. John Ellis, The Dean, who incidentally had been in the
Royal Navy and liked to support mature students!
After qualifying, his first junior posts were at the
North Middlesex and St Mary’s Eastbourne, following on as a
senior house officer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the
Royal Sussex County Hospital. In 1979 he was offered a
Partnership at the Enys Road Practice which is how he ended up
in Eastbourne and for which he had always been grateful.
Dr John Clarke has written on behalf of his colleagues at the
Practice “For over 25 years we were fortunate to have Patrick as
a working partner. Always a team player and as a
GP to his patients, he was very much liked, loved even,
and most of all he cared”.
He joined the Royal Naval Reserve as a Surg Lt Commander and
undertook many duties in his spare time which included being
based at Yeovilton during the Falklands War, taking annual leave
from his Practice. Following retirement, Patrick concentrated on
enjoying family life with friends, sailing, singing, speaking groups,
walking his beloved Downs, undertaking an Open University
Course on Oceanography and also becoming totally involved with
fundraising and managing, as a Trustee, the JPK Sussex Project
which was to provide Supported Living and Training and Work
Experience in Hospitality, for people with a learning disability.
Patrick succeeded in everything he undertook with ‘true grit and
determination’ plus humour and the sense of the ridiculous, yet
remained a very humble man, requiring no accolades.
Patrick will be sorely missed by so many,
especially his beloved family.
His formal Celebration of Life will take place on
Tuesday, 1st October at 12 midday at Eastbourne Crematorium
followed by a further Celebration at the JPK Project.
Dress Code optional, but Patrick
wasn’t keen on black and loved ‘funny’ ties!
Family Wreath only but should you wish, donations
can be made to the JPK Sussex Project.
and sent c/o Haine & Son, 65 High Street, Polegate,
East Sussex, BN26 6AH. 01323 489127